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Bob Kerrey not keen on another Senate race

Democrat Bob Kerrey says it's unlikely he'll run for the Senate for a third time. The former senator and Nebraska governor told the Associated Press on Tuesday that he has no plans to seek the seat being

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The former senator and Nebraska governor told the Associated Press on Tuesday that he has no plans to seek the seat being vacated by Republican Mike Johanns. Nebraska politics were upended when Johanns surprised people Monday with his announcement that he would not seek a second Senate term in 2014.

Kerrey tried a political comeback to the Senate last year — and lost badly. Republican Deb Fischer defeated Kerrey by 16 percentage points in November. Republicans took issue with Kerrey's residency and sought to remind voters that the Democrat had lived in New York City for 10 years as president of the New School University.

Kerrey represented Nebraska in the Senate from 1989 to 2001 and was governor from 1983 to 1987. He was viewed as the Democrats' best chance of keeping the seat in the party's hands, after the retirement of Sen. Ben Nelson.

Several Republicans have expressed an interest in the Senate race, including Gov. Dave Heineman and Rep. Jeff Fortenberry. The state has a strong Republican tilt.

Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler, a Democrat, said in a radio interview Tuesday that he will "politely listen" to entreaties and didn't rule out running. Chuck Hassebrook, a former member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, has also been mentioned as a possible Democratic candidate. Hassebrook stepped aside last year and endorsed Kerrey.